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Sharks deny circling for Jennings

Michael Chammas

On the move ... but Cronulla have denied they are interested in Michael Jennings. Photo: Getty Images

CRONULLA have denied interest in Penrith centre Michael Jennings and won't be joining the race for his signature. Jennings, whose future is still up in the air at the Panthers, had been touted as a possible target for the Sharks given his close relationship with former teammates Luke Lewis, Michael Gordon and Wade Graham.

However, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan insists the club hasn't approached Jennings or his management, despite the appeal of having the international centre bolster their already improved back line. ''We haven't spoken to Michael or his management,'' Flanagan said.

''We've recruited a few backs this year in Michael Gordon, Beau Ryan and Jonathan Wright, so we are quite well served in that department. I don't know if Lewy [Lewis] or any of the ex-Penrith boys have spoken to him, but as a club we definitely haven't spoken to him.''

Negotiations between Jennings's management and the Panthers, who are keen to offload the 24-year-old, remain at loggerheads. While the Titans have expressed their interest in luring Jennings to the Gold Coast, the Roosters are still the favourites for his signature, but his $600,000-a-season deal with Penrith continues to be the sticking point.

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Penrith general manager Phil Gould is reluctant to fork out a substantial amount to cover the shortfall in funds Jennings would experience if he left the foot of the mountains.

The Roosters are desperate to finalise the deal in order to have Jennings training with the team before the trials start in February, however recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan is refusing to put a timeframe on negotiations.

''We're still waiting for his management to sort out a few things with Penrith,'' O'Sullivan said. ''We'd like to have him at the club sooner rather than later but there is no timeframe on someone of that talent.''

Despite the lengthy contract saga that has dominated headlines for the last week, it hasn't affected Jennings's rapport with fans. Voting for the NRL All Stars side, who take on the Indigenous All Stars at Suncorp Stadium on February 9, closed last night.

A week out from the close of voting, Jennings was leading the Panthers players and was also the No.1-voted centre in the competition ahead of Canterbury's Josh Morris.

The team will be named on Wednesday, but Adam Reynolds is poised to pip Melbourne's Cooper Cronk at No.7 jersey, with Billy Slater polling better than his Storm teammate.

Cronulla captain Paul Gallen, who has enjoyed a successful comeback from elbow surgery before Christmas, is leading the votes for the Sharks.

Todd Carney is unavailable for the match because of an Achilles injury he suffered in the semi-final loss to Canberra last year. Carney's started training with the Sharks' main group but isn't expected to resume full duties for another month. Flanagan is hopeful he will have his star playmaker on deck for their opening-round clash against the Gold Coast Titans at Toyota Stadium on March 10.

''Todd's travelling well,'' Flanagan said. ''He's not back to full training yet but he is a week ahead of schedule. He won't play any trials but we're still hoping he'll be right for round one.''